Azalea Long Merrell was born on September 29, 1918 in Etowah, Tennessee. She went to be with the Lord on Wednesday, December 13, 2017 at the age of 99. She grew up in Etowah and graduated from Etowah High School. She worked as a bookkeeper at Harper's Furniture Store and later in sales at Johnson's Department Store. She considered her greatest role being a wife and mother. Her house was always open to her son's friends and her much loved nieces and nephews. Azalea loved to cook and bake. Her cream pies and peanut butter candy were enjoyed by many. She could bring any flower back to life with her sweet voice, especially her violets and begonias. Traveling the country with her granddaughters and watching her great grandchildren grow up brought them all happiness and memories to be treasured forever. Azalea is best described as a Proverbs 31 woman. She is clothed with strength and dignity, speaks wisdom, watches over the affairs of her household, her children call her blessed and her husband praises her. Azalea truly is worth more than rubies. She fears the Lord and is to be praised.A lifelong member of North Etowah Baptist Church, she was awarded the longest tenured member at the church's centennial celebration in 2016.

Azalea is preceded in death by her husband of 76 years, W.D. Merrell and her son Warren Davis Merrell, Jr. She was the last surviving child of four of the late Altha and John Long. She is survived by her son Doug Merrell of St. Petersburg, FL; daughter-in-law, Mrs. Warren Merrell, Jr. of Tallahassee, FL; devoted granddaughters, Deanna, Denise, Deborah and Darla; grandsons, Stuart and Brian; and great-grandchildren, McLin, Anslee, Parker, Ian, Owen and Emma; and many nieces and nephews.

The family would like to thank Brenda and Kewanias of Heavenly Helpers for the care, love and friendship given to Azalea.

A graveside service will be held at 1:00 p.m., Wednesday, December 27th, at Green Hill Cemetery with speaker Dennis Bordwine officiating. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the North Etowah Baptist Church Building Fund, 231 Pennsylvania Avenue, Etowah, Tennessee 37331.